Fdf03 antibodies and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods for identifying and using modulators of FDF03 biological activity in vitro and in vivo that are useful in the treatment of cancer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the fields of immunology and medicine.More particularly, the invention relates to the modulation of FDF03activity to enhance antitumor activity in vivo, and identification ofcompounds that mediate such modulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The activation threshold of immune cells is regulated by activating andinhibitory signals received through recognition of self and foreignantigens. Genetic defects that affect activating or inhibitory receptorsrenders the immune system unable to distinguish between self and nonself causing autoimmunity or abnormal response against infectious agentsand transformed cells (see, e.g., Walker and Abbas (2002) Nat RevImmunol. 2:11-19; and Lanier (2003) Curr Opin Immunol. 15:308-314).

Cells of the immune system possess many types of membrane-bound proteinsthat serve as receptors. The ligands for these receptors may be smallmolecules, proteins, e.g., cytokines or chemokines, or membrane-boundproteins residing on a separate cell. The occupation of a receptor byits ligand, binding of a receptor by a soluble antibody, cross-linkingof like-receptors to each other, and cross-linking of unlike receptorsto each other, can result in changes in cellular activity. Some of theseevents result in “cell activation,” while other events result in “cellinhibition.”

Studies of immune cells and their activation or inhibition have relatedto: Recruitment of enzymes to the plasma membrane; recruitment ofenzymes to “lipid rafts” in the cell membrane (Yang and Reinherz, J.Biol. Chem. 2766, 18775 (2001)), and recruitment of membrane-boundreceptors to the plasma membrane. A lipid raft is a region of the plasmamembrane with reduced fluidity of the lipid molecules. Cell activationor inhibition also relates to changes in phosphorylation state ofreceptors; changes in the proliferative state of the cell; calciumfluxes; changes in genetic expression; changes in secretion or indegranulation; differentiation of the cell; changes in the proliferativerate of the cell; changes in cell migration; and changes in chemotaxis.Cell activation may also include the reversal of T cell anergy (see,e.g., Lin, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 273, 19914 (1998); and Sunder-Plassmanand Reinherz, J. Biol. Chem. 273, 24249 (1998)).

The question of whether a signaling event, which results in any of theabove changes, is activating or inhibiting can be determined on anindividual basis. For example, if occupation of an unidentified receptorresults in an increases of genetic expression of cytokine mRNA,secretion (or degranulation), release of inflammatory cytokines,phagocytic or lytic activity, the unidentified receptor may be termed anactivating receptor. Similarly, if occupation of an unidentifiedreceptor inhibits activity dependent on a known activating receptor,then that unidentified receptor may be termed an inhibiting receptor.

The determination of whether a receptor is activating or inhibiting maybe predicted by the polypeptide sequence of the receptor, where thereceptor is a protein. Attention has focused on two different motifs:ITIM and ITAM. ITIM stands for immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitionmotif, while ITAM means immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif.A number of polypeptide receptors bearing one or more ITIM motifs in thecytosolic region of the receptor have been found to be inhibiting,whereas a number of polypeptide receptors bearing one or more ITAMsequences in the cytosolic region have been found to be activating.

Recently, a number of such immunoregulatory receptors like TREMs, MDL-1,FDF03, DCIR, and CD200 have been identified on myeloid cells. FDF03 isalso known as Paired Immunoglobulin-Like type 2 Receptor (PILR). ThePILR family comprises both inhibitory (PILRα) and activating (PILRβ)isoforms. Both receptors belong to the v-type immunoglobulin superfamilyand are expressed on the surface of neutrophils, monocytes, anddendritic cells. PILRb is also present on NK cells and a smallpopulation of T cells in both the mouse and human (see, e.g., Shiratori, et al. (2004) J Exp Med. 199:525-33). PIRLα possesses an ITIM in itscytoplasmic domain, whereas the PILRβ transduces activating signals byassociating with the ITAM-bearing DAP12 adaptor molecule. The putativeligand for the mouse isoforms was identified to be a CD99-like moleculeand more recently, it was observed that the O-glycan sugar chain on CD99was involved in receptor recognition. Earlier studies in DCs andmacrophages have indicated that PILRα can inhibit ITAM-mediatedactivation signals, a feature common among the ITIM-bearing family ofreceptors. PILRα exhibited an inhibitory role by blocking intracellularCa+2 mobilization induced by CD32/FcγRII in FDF03 transfected U937cells. PILRa has also been identified as a herpes-simplex virus-1 entryco-receptor (see, e.g, Satoh, et al. (2008) Cell 132:935-944.

Innate immunity is distinguished from adaptive immunity in that innateimmune cells do not require prior exposure to a particular microbialpathogen or tumor associated antigen to be induced to respondvigorously. In addition, the receptors utilized by innate immune cellsare non-polymorphic and generally recognize specific molecular patternspresent on microbial pathogens. Thus, innate immune cells provide afirst line of defense against pathogens. Typically, an innate immuneresponse is mediated through various myeloid lineage cells, as a firstline of defense to pathogens and cancers. Myeloid lineage cells includemacrophages, monocytes, dendritic cells, neutrophils, eosinophils,granulocytes, mast cells, basophils, etc. In addition, NK cells are partof innate immunity as well as they express non-polymorphic receptorscapable of recognizing altered self; particularly cells that lack MHCclass I expression as is the case for many tumor cells. As noted above,FDF03 receptors are expressed on the surface of myeloid lineage cells.In addition, the activating form of FDF03 can be expressed on NK cells.Recent research has explored the concept that innate immune cells maydistinguish on microbial pathogen or tumor cell target by processingsignal transductions derived from multiple non-polymorphic receptors.Thus one pathogen may trigger receptor interactions based on the variousmolecules expressed and another pathogen may trigger a different arrayof receptors, thus triggering differential responses in a qualitative orquantitative manner. Thus, triggering combinations of receptors oninnate cells with a combination therapy using two or more agonistmolecules may augment the capacity to induce pathogen clearance or tumorcell killing.

A need exists for regulators of immunity, in particular cancer immunity.The present invention fulfills this need by providing methods ofregulating cancer immunity with modulators of FDF03 receptors.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based upon the discovery that modulation ofFDF03 activating (PILRβ) and inhibiting (PILRα) receptors, cell surfacemolecules on hematopoietic cells, can change the dynamics of an ongoingimmune response or the initiation of a primary immune response to atumor or cancer, or inhibiting metastasis. Thus receptors can besignificant targets for modulating of immune responses in vivo.

The present invention provides a method for inhibiting tumor growth in asubject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an agentthat stimulates or enhances FDF03 inhibitory receptor biologicalactivity. In certain embodiments, the agent is an agonist or partialagonist antibody or antibody fragment thereof specific for the FDF03inhibitory receptor; the antibody can be a humanized, fully human orchimeric antibody; the tumor is a primary or a metastatic tumor; or thesubject is a human.

Also provided is a method for reducing metastatic burden in a subjectcomprising administering to a subject in need thereof an agent thatstimulates or enhances FDF03 inhibitory receptor biological activity. Incertain embodiments agent is an agonist or partial agonist antibody orantibody fragment thereof specific for the FDF03 inhibitory receptor;the antibody is a humanized, fully human or chimeric antibody; or thesubject is a human.

The present invention provides a method for inhibiting tumor growth in asubject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an agentthat binds to both FDF03 inhibitory and FDF03 activating receptors. Incertain embodiments, the agent is a bispecific antibody or antibodyfragment thereof that binds to the FDF03 inhibitory receptor and theFDF03 activating receptor; the antibody is a humanized, fully human orchimeric antibody; the tumor is a primary or a metastatic tumor; or thesubject is a human.

Also provided is a method for reducing metastatic burden, comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof an agent that binds to bothFDF03 inhibitory and FDF03 activating receptors. In certain embodiments,the agent is a bispecific antibody or antibody fragment thereof thatbinds to the FDF03 inhibitory receptor and the FDF03 activatingreceptor; the antibody is a humanized, fully human or chimeric antibody;or the subject is a human.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows inhibition of 4T1 mammary carcinoma tumor growth upontreatment with DX173 (bispecific antibody that binds to FDF03 activatingand FDF03 inhibitory receptors) antibodies.

FIG. 2 shows inhibition of 4T1 mammary carcinoma tumorigenesis upontreatment with DX173.

FIG. 3 shows a decrease in 4T1 mammary carcinoma metastatic burden upontreatment with DX173.

FIG. 4 shows inhibition of CT-26 colon carcinoma tumor growth upontreatment with DX276 (agonist antibody that binds to FDF03 inhibitoryreceptor) antibodies.

FIG. 5 shows inhibition of CT-26 colon carcinoma tumorigenesis upontreatment with DX276.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the physiological role for FDF03receptors as a critical regulator of immune responses. In a mouse model,agonizing the inhibitory form of the FDF03 receptor results in anaugmentation of anti-tumor immune responsiveness both to primary tumoroutgrowth as well as a reduction in metastatic burden, implicating FDF03as an important player in immunosurveillance. Thus, the object of thepresent invention relates to the modulation of FDF03 to alter immuneresponsiveness, particularly in cancer. The ability to identify agentsthat modulate FDF03 receptors permits the external regulation of immuneresponse and may permit the enhancement of tumor immunosurveillance toat least reduce, if not prevent carcinogenesis and tumor growth.

For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detaileddescription of the invention is divided into the subsections thatfollow.

A. Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, publishedpatent applications and other publications and sequences from GenBankand other databases referred to herein are incorporated by reference intheir entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary toor otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in patents,published patent applications and other publications and sequences fromGenBank and other data bases that are herein incorporated by reference,the definition set forth in this section prevails over the definitionthat is incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein, “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

“Administration” and “treatment,” as it applies to an animal, human,experimental subject, cell, tissue, organ, or biological fluid, refersto contact of an exogenous pharmaceutical, therapeutic, diagnosticagent, compound, or composition to the animal, human, subject, cell,tissue, organ, or biological fluid. “Administration” and “treatment” canrefer, e.g., to therapeutic, placebo, pharmacokinetic, diagnostic,research, and experimental methods. “Treatment of a cell” encompassescontact of a reagent to the cell, as well as contact of a reagent to afluid, where the fluid is in contact with the cell. “Administration” and“treatment” also means in vitro and ex vivo treatments, e.g., of a cell,by a reagent, diagnostic, binding composition, or by another cell.“Treatment,” as it applies to a human, veterinary, or research subject,refers to therapeutic treatment, prophylactic or preventative measures,to research and diagnostic applications. “Treatment” as it applies to ahuman, veterinary, or research subject, or cell, tissue, or organ,encompasses contact of an agent capable of modulating FDF03 activity toa human or animal subject, a cell, tissue, physiological compartment, orphysiological fluid. “Treatment of a cell” also encompasses situationswhere the FDF03 inhibitory receptor agonist or FDF03 bisepcific agentcontacts the appropriate FDF03 receptor or receptors, e.g., in the fluidphase or colloidal phase, as well as situations where the agonist orantagonist contacts a fluid, e.g., where the fluid is in contact with acell or receptor, but where it has not been demonstrated that theagonist or antagonist contacts the cell or receptor.

As used herein, the term “agent” includes compounds that modulate, e.g.,up-modulate or stimulate and down-modulate or inhibit, the expressionand/or activity of a molecule of the invention. As used herein the term“inhibitor” or “inhibitory agent” includes agents which inhibit theexpression and/or activity of a molecule of the invention.

“Inhibitors” and “antagonists” or “activators” and “agonists” refer toinhibitory or activating molecules, respectively, e.g., for theactivation of, e.g., a ligand, receptor, cofactor, gene, cell, tissue,or organ. A modulator of, e.g., a gene, a receptor, a ligand, or a cell,is a molecule that alters an activity of the gene, receptor, ligand, orcell, where activity can be activated, inhibited, or altered in itsregulatory properties. The modulator may act alone, or it may use acofactor, e.g., a protein, metal ion, or small molecule Inhibitors arecompounds that decrease, block, prevent, delay activation, inactivate,desensitize, or down regulate, e.g., a gene, protein, ligand, receptor,or cell. Activators are compounds that increase, activate, facilitate,enhance activation, sensitize, or up regulate, e.g., a gene, protein,ligand, receptor, or cell. An inhibitor may also be defined as acomposition that reduces, blocks, or inactivates a constitutiveactivity. An “agonist” is a compound that interacts with a target tocause or promote an increase in the activation of the target. Agonistsalso includes activation of a subset of functions, i.e., a “partialagonist”. An “antagonist” is a compound that opposes the actions of anagonist. An antagonist prevents, reduces, inhibits, or neutralizes theactivity of an agonist. An antagonist can also prevent, inhibit, orreduce constitutive activity of a target, e.g., a target receptor, evenwhere there is no identified agonist.

As used herein, the term “antibody” refers to an isolated or recombinantbinding agent that comprises the necessary variable region sequences tospecifically bind an antigenic epitope. Therefore, an antibody is anyform of antibody or fragment thereof that exhibits the desiredbiological activity, e.g., binding the specific target antigen. Thus, itis used in the broadest sense and specifically covers monoclonalantibodies (including full length monoclonal antibodies), polyclonalantibodies, human antibodies, humanized antibodies, chimeric antibodies,nanobodies, diabodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecificantibodies), and antibody fragments including but not limited to scFv,Fab, and Fab₂, so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity.

As used herein, the phrase “antibody fragment thereof” or “antigenbinding fragment thereof” when used with respect to an antibodyencompasses a fragment or a derivative of an antibody that substantiallyretains its biological activity. Therefore, an antibody fragment is aportion of a full length antibody and generally includes the antigenbinding or variable region thereof. Examples of antibody fragmentsinclude Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂, and Fv fragments; diabodies; linearantibodies; single-chain antibody molecules, e.g., sc-Fv; andmultispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments. Typically, anantibody fragment or derivative retains at least 50% of its biologicalactivity. Preferably, an antibody fragment or derivative retains atleast 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or 100% of its biological activity.An antibody fragment can include conservative amino acid substitutionsthat do not substantially alter its biologic activity.

The term “monoclonal antibody”, as used herein, refers to an antibodyobtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies,i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identicalexcept for possible naturally occurring mutations that may be present inminor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directedagainst a single antigenic epitope (or ligand). In contrast,conventional (polyclonal) antibody preparations typically include amultitude of antibodies directed against (or specific for) differentepitopes. The term monoclonal indicates that the antibody is obtainedfrom a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not tobe construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particularmethod. For example, monoclonal antibodies useful with the presentinvention may be made by the hybridoma method first described by Kohleret al., Nature 256: 495 (1975), or may be made by recombinant DNAmethods (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567). Useful monoclonalantibodies may also be isolated from phage antibody libraries using, forexample, the techniques described in Clackson et al., Nature 352:624-628 (1991) and Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol. 222: 581-597 (1991).

The monoclonal antibodies referred to herein include chimeric antibodies(immunoglobulins) in which a portion of the heavy and/or light chain isidentical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodiesderived from a particular species or belonging to a particular antibodyclass or subclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is identical withor homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived fromanother species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, aswell as fragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit thedesired biological activity (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; and Morrisonet al., Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 81: 6851-6855 (1984)).

As used herein, the term “carcinogenesis” refers to the development of amalignant or neoplastic cell or tumor.

As used herein, the term “cell-mediated response” refers to a hostresponse to an antigen, cell, or organism mediated by T cells as well asnonspecific cells of the immune system including but not limited to NKcells, macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

“Effective amount” encompasses an amount sufficient to ameliorate orprevent a symptom or sign of the medical condition. Effective amountalso means an amount sufficient to allow or facilitate diagnosis. Aneffective amount for a particular patient or veterinary subject may varydepending on factors such as the condition being treated, the overallhealth of the patient, the method route and dose of administration andthe severity of side affects (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,530 issuedto Netti, et al.). An effective amount can be the maximal dose or dosingprotocol that avoids significant side effects or toxic effects. Theeffect will result in an improvement of a diagnostic measure orparameter by at least 5%, usually by at least 10%, more usually at least20%, most usually at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferablyat least 50%, most preferably at least 60%, ideally at least 70%, moreideally at least 80%, and most ideally at least 90%, where 100% isdefined as the diagnostic parameter shown by a normal subject (see,e.g., Maynard, et al. (1996) A Handbook of SOPs for Good ClinicalPractice, Interpharm Press, Boca Raton, FL; Dent (2001) Good Laboratoryand Good Clinical Practice, Urch Publ., London, UK).

As used herein, the term “FDF03 inhibitory receptor” encompasses allforms of FDF03 inhibitory receptor protein regardless of the sourceincluding but not limited to FDF03 inhibitory as disclosed in thecommonly owned WO 98/24906. “FDF03 activating receptor” encompasses allforms of FDF03 activating receptor protein regardless of the sourceincluding but not limited to FDF03 activating receptor as disclosed inthe commonly owned WO 2000/040721. Unless specifically distinguished,“FDF03” can refer to both receptors

As used herein, the term “metastatic tumor” refers to a tumor cell thatgrows at a site distant from the primary tumor. “Metastatic burden”refers to the quantitation of metastatic tumors.

As used herein, the term “peptide” includes relatively short chains ofamino acids linked by peptide bonds. The term “peptidomimetic” includescompounds containing non-peptidic structural elements that are capableof mimicking or antagonizing peptides.

As used herein, the term “primary tumor” refers to a tumor that remainsin situ.

“Small molecules” are provided for the treatment of physiology anddisorders of tumors and cancers. “Small molecule” is defined as amolecule with a molecular weight that is less than 10 kD, typically lessthan 2 kD, and preferably less than 1 kD. Small molecules include, butare not limited to, inorganic molecules, organic molecules, organicmolecules containing an inorganic component, molecules comprising aradioactive atom, synthetic molecules, peptide mimetics, and antibodymimetics. As a therapeutic, a small molecule may be more permeable tocells, less susceptible to degradation, and less apt to elicit an immuneresponse than large molecules. Small molecules, such as peptide mimeticsof antibodies and cytokines, as well as small molecule toxins aredescribed (see, e.g., Casset, et al. (2003) Biochem. Biophys. Res.Commun. 307:198-205; Muyldermans (2001) J. Biotechnol. 74:277-302; Li(2000) Nat. Biotechnol. 18:1251-1256; Apostolopoulos, et al. (2002)Curr. Med. Chem. 9:411-420; Monfardini, et al. (2002) Curr. Pharm. Des.8:2185-2199; Domingues, et al. (1999) Nat. Struct. Biol. 6:652-656; Satoand Sone (2003) Biochem. J. 371:603-608; U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,482 issuedto Stewart, et al).

As used herein the term “subject” refers to any living organisms inwhich an immune response can be elicited, preferably the subjects aremammals. Exemplary subjects include, but are not limited to humans,monkeys, dogs, cats, mice, rats, cows, horses, goats and sheep.

As used herein, the term “T cell”, or “T lymphocyte” is refers to anycells within the T cell lineage from a mammal, e.g., human. Preferably,T cells are progenitor or effector T cells that express either CD4and/or CD8, and a tumor-specific T cell receptor. The various T cellpopulations described herein can be defined based on their cytokineprofiles and their function as is known in the art.

As used herein, the term “treat” refers to the application oradministration of a therapeutic agent to a subject, or application oradministration of a therapeutic agent to an isolated tissue or cell linefrom a subject, who has a disease or disorder, a symptom of disease ordisorder or a predisposition toward a disease or disorder, with thepurpose of curing, healing, alleviating, relieving, altering, remedying,ameliorating, improving or affecting the disease or disorder.

As used herein, the term “tumor” refers to any malignant or neoplasticcell.

B. Modulation of Cellular Responses

Featured herein is a method for stimulating or augmenting acell-mediated response to a tumor in a subject, comprising administeringto a subject in need thereof an agent that agonizes the biologicalactivity of the FDF03 inhibitory receptor or binds to both theinhibitory and activating FDF03 receptors. Also featured herein is amethod of increasing cellular cytotoxicity against a target, comprisingadministering to a cell an effective amount of an agent that modulatesFDF03 activity, wherein the FDF03 inhibitory receptor activity isenhanced. Also, featured herein is a method of mitigating theimmune-suppressive environment induced by tumor micro-environments.

Any cell-mediated response where FDF03 expressing cells participate canbe stimulated or augmented using the disclosed methods. Suchcell-mediated responses encompass innate immune cell responses.Cell-mediated responses can be measured by routine methods used in theart. See, e.g., Coligan et al., eds., CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY(John Wiley & Sons, current edition).

In particular, the manipulation of FDF03 activity can result in anincrease of cellular cytotoxicity against a target. Any cytotoxic cell(or cytotoxic cell progenitor) that expresses FDF03, interacts with itstarget through a FDF03-mediated interaction, or whose differentiationand/or stimulation into a cytotoxic effector cell involves FDF03 can bemodulated by this method. Such cells include but are not limited to NKcells, Tregs, NKT cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages,dendritic cells, neutrophils, and mast cells. Cellular cytotoxicity canbe assessed by any suitable method. Exemplary methods include examiningrelease of radiolabel from labeled target cells, e.g., ⁵¹Cr,colorimetric assays, e.g., CytoTox96® non-radioactive assay (Promega),granzyme release assays, lactate dehydrogenase assays, andbioluminescence cytotoxicity assays (e.g., Biovision Research Products(Mountain View, Calif.)). Furthermore, FDF03 agonists may induceenhanced induction of T cells, NK cells, NKT cells or B cells, byinducing innate myeloid lineage cells to express molecules that activatesaid cells during the antigen presentation process or anti-tumoreffector phase; that is to say indirect activation of effector cells ofthe adaptive immunity.

Any suitable target cell can be a target for the cell-mediated response,particularly the cytotoxic, response of the present invention.Preferably, the target is mammalian. The target can be syngeneic,allogeneic, or xenogeneic to the responding cell. In most embodiments,the target is syngeneic or allogeneic. In a preferred embodiment, thetarget is syngeneic to the responding effector cell. The target cell canbe a normal or abnormal cell. Exemplary cells include a tumor cell, avirally infected cell, and a cell expressing FDF03 ligand by recombinantmeans. Thus, target cells include but are not limited to establishedcell lines such as CT-26 or 4T1 cells, short term cell lines, or cellsisolated from a sample taken from a subject, e.g., dissociated tumorcells. In cells which express FDF03 or a FDF03 ligand, the expressioncan be naturally occurring or by recombinant means using method known inthe art. See, e.g., CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (John Wiley &Sons, most recent edition).

In some embodiments, the tumor target or other cellular target expressesa ligand for FDF03. Sometimes, the FDF03 ligand (or FDF03 associatedligand) is CD99

In one embodiment, the agent of the present method is an agonist FDF03specific antibody or a biologically active fragment thereof. The agonistantibody will recognize the inhibitory FDF03 receptor. Additionally abispecific antibody recognizing both the inhibitory and activating formsof FDF03 is useful. Exemplary antibodies include a bispecific FDF03antibody and an agonist antibody specific for FDF03 inhibitory receptor.The bispecific antibody can be an antibody that naturally cross reactswith both receptors, or an genetically engineered antibody. Theantibodies can be generated in cell culture, in phage, or in variousanimals, including but not limited to cows, rabbits, goats, mice, rats,hamsters, guinea pigs, sheep, dogs, cats, monkeys, chimpanzees, apes.Therefore, the antibody useful in the present methods is typically amammalian antibody. Phage techniques can be used to isolate an initialantibody or to generate variants with altered specificity or aviditycharacteristics. Such techniques are routine and well known in the art.In one embodiment, the antibody is produced by recombinant means knownin the art. For example, a recombinant antibody can be produced bytransfecting a host cell with a vector comprising a DNA sequenceencoding the antibody. One or more vectors can be used to transfect theDNA sequence expressing at least one V_(L) and one V_(H) region in thehost cell. Exemplary descriptions of recombinant means of antibodygeneration and production include Delves, ANTIBODY PRODUCTION: ESSENTIALTECHNIQUES (Wiley, 1997); Shephard, et al., MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES(Oxford University Press, 2000); and Goding, MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES:PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE (Academic Press, 1993).

The antibody useful in the present methods can be modified byrecombinant means to increase greater efficacy of the antibody inmediating a desired function such as increased half-life. See, e.g.,Borrebaeck (ed.) ANTIBODY ENGINEERING (Oxford University Press, 1995).For example, antibodies can be modified by substitutions usingrecombinant means. Typically, the substitutions will be conservativesubstitutions. For example, at least one amino acid in the constantregion of the antibody can be replaced with a different residue. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,821, U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,551, Application No.WO99/58572; and Angal, et al., Mol. Immunol. 30 : 105-08 (1993). Themodification in amino acids includes deletions, additions, andsubstitutions of amino acids. The antibodies can also be fusion proteinswhere the antibody or biologically active fragment thereof is joined toanother biologically relevant agent, e.g., a cytokine, an adhesionmolecule, a costimulatory molecule, and the like as well as biologicallyrelevant portions of such molecules.

In some embodiments, the agent useful in this method is a FDF03inhibitory receptor-specific antibody, an FDF03 bispecific antibody, orbiologically active fragment thereof. Monoclonal, polyclonal, andhumanized antibodies can be prepared (see, e.g., Sheperd and Dean (eds.)(2000) Monoclonal Antibodies, Oxford Univ. Press, New York, NY;Kontermann and Dubel (eds.) (2001) Antibody Engineering,Springer-Verlag, New York; Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies ALaboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold SpringHarbor, N.Y., pp. 139-243; Carpenter, et al. (2000) J. Immunol.165:6205; He, et al. (1998) J. Immunol. 160:1029; Tang, et al. (1999) J.Biol. Chem. 274:27371-27378; Baca, et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem.272:10678-10684; Chothia, et al. (1989) Nature 342:877-883; Foote andWinter (1992) J. Mol. Biol. 224:487-499; U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,511 issuedto Vasquez, et al.).

Purification of antigen is not necessary for the generation ofantibodies. Immunization can be performed by DNA vector immunization,see, e.g., Wang, et al. (1997) Virology 228:278-284. Alternatively,animals can be immunized with cells bearing the antigen of interest.Splenocytes can then be isolated from the immunized animals, and thesplenocytes can fused with a myeloma cell line to produce a hybridoma(Meyaard, et al. (1997) Immunity 7:283-290; Wright, et al. (2000)Immunity 13:233-242; Preston, et al. (1997) Eur. J. Immunol.27:1911-1918). Resultant hybridomas can be screened for production ofthe desired antibody by functional assays or biological assays, that is,assays not dependent on possession of the purified antigen. Immunizationwith cells may prove superior for antibody generation than immunizationwith purified antigen (Kaithamana, et al. (1999) J. Immunol.163:5157-5164).

Antibody to antigen and ligand to receptor binding properties can bemeasured, e.g., by surface plasmon resonance (Karlsson, et al. (1991) J.Immunol. Methods 145:229-240; Neri, et al. (1997) Nat. Biotechnol.15:1271-1275; Jonsson, et al. (1991) Biotechniques 11:620-627) or bycompetition ELISA (Friguet, et al. (1985) J. Immunol. Methods77:305-319; Hubble (1997) Immunol. Today 18:305-306). Antibodies can beused for affinity purification to isolate the antibody's target antigenand associated bound proteins, see, e.g., Wilchek, et al. (1984) Meth.Enzymol. 104:3-55.

Antibodies will usually bind with at least a K_(D) of about 10⁻³ M, moreusually at least 10⁻⁶ M, typically at least 10⁻⁷ M, more typically atleast 10⁻⁸ M, preferably at least about 10⁻⁹ M, and more preferably atleast 10⁻¹⁰ M, and most preferably at least 10⁻¹¹ M (see, e.g., Presta,et al. (2001) Thromb. Haemost. 85:379-389; Yang, et al. (2001) Crit.Rev. Oncol. Hematol. 38:17-23; Carnahan, et al. (2003) Clin. Cancer Res.(Suppl.) 9:3982s-3990s).

In some embodiments, the subject has cancer and can be treated with theagent of the present invention as described below.

C. Methods of Treatment Using FDF03 Inhibitory Agents

Featured herein is a method of preventing or treating cancer, comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of anagent that stimulates FDF03 inhibitory receptor biological activity. Insome embodiments, the cancer is skin cancer.

The subject treated by the present methods includes a subject having anadenocarcinoma, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, sarcoma, orteratocarcinoma. The tumor can be a cancer of the adrenal gland,bladder, bone, bone marrow, brain, breast, cervix, gall bladder,ganglia, gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle,ovary, pancreas, parathyroid, penis, prostate, salivary glands, skin,spleen, testis, thymus, thyroid, and uterus. Such tumors include, butare not limited to: neoplasma of the central nervous system:glioblastomamultiforme, astrocytoma, oligodendroglial tumors, ependymaland choroids plexus tumors, pineal tumors, neuronal tumors,medulloblastoma, schwannoma, meningioma, meningeal sarcoma: neoplasma ofthe eye: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma,rhabdomyosarcoma, retinoblastoma; neoplasma of the endocrine glands:pituitary neoplasms, neoplasms of the thyroid, neoplasms of the adrenalcortex, neoplasms of the neuroendocrine system, neoplasms of thegastroenteropancreatic endocrine system, neoplasms of the gonads;neoplasms of the head and neck: head and neck cancer, oral cavity,pharynx, larynx, odontogenic tumors: neoplasms of the thorax: large celllung carcinoma, small cell lung carcinoma, non-small cell lungcarcinoma, neoplasms of the thorax, malignant mesothelioma, thymomas,primary germ cell tumors of the thorax; neoplasms of the alimentarycanal: neoplasms of the esophagus, neoplasms of the stomach, neoplasmsof the liver, neoplasms of the gallbladder, neoplasms of the exocrinepancreas, neoplasms of the small intestine, vermiform appendix andperitoneum, adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum, neoplasms of theanus; neoplasms of the genitourinary tract: renal cell carcinoma,neoplasms of the renal pelvis and ureter, neoplasms of the bladder,neoplasms of the urethra, neoplasms of the prostate, neoplasms of thepenis, neoplasms of the testis; neoplasms of the female reproductiveorgans: neoplasms of the vulva and vagina, neoplasms of the cervix,adenocarcinoma of the uterine corpus, ovarian cancer, gynecologicsarcomas; neoplasms of the breast; neoplasms of the skin: basal cellcarcinoma, squamous carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma, Merkel cell tumor;malignant melanoma; neoplasms of the bone and soft tissue: osteogenicsarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, chrondrosarcoma, Ewing'ssarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, angiosarcoma; neoplasms of thehematopoietic system: myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myeloid leukemia,chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, HTLV-1, and T-cellleukemia/lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia,Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, mast cell leukemia;neoplasms of children: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myelocyticleukemias, neuroblastoma, bone tumors, rhabdomyosarcoma, lymphomas,renal and liver tumors.

Any subject can be treated with the methods and compositions providedherein. Such a subject is a mammal, preferably a human, in need of suchtreatment. Veterinary uses of the disclosed methods and compositions arealso contemplated. Such uses would include prevention of carcinogenesis,treatment of cancer, and prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseasesin domestic animals, livestock and thoroughbred horses.

Various pharmaceutical compositions and techniques for their preparationand use will be known to those of skill in the art in light of thepresent disclosure. For a detailed listing of suitable pharmacologicalcompositions and associated administrative techniques one may refer tothe detailed teachings herein, which may be further supplemented bytexts such as REMINGTON: THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACY 20th Ed.(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins 2003.

The formulation and delivery methods will generally be adapted accordingto the site and the disease to be treated. Exemplary formulationsinclude, but are not limited to, those suitable for parenteraladministration, e.g., intravenous, intraarterial, intramuscular, orsubcutaneous administration, including formulations encapsulated inmicelles, liposomes or drug-release capsules (active agents incorporatedwithin a biocompatible coating designed for slow-release); ingestibleformulations; formulations for topical use, such as creams, ointmentsand gels; and other formulations such as inhalants, aerosols and sprays.The dosage of the compounds of the invention will vary according to theextent and severity of the need for treatment, the activity of theadministered composition, the general health of the subject, and otherconsiderations well known to the skilled artisan.

Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined bystandard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimentalanimals, e.g., for determining the LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of thepopulation) and the ED₅₀ (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% ofthe population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects isthe therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio between LD₅₀and ED₅₀. Compounds exhibiting high therapeutic indices are preferred.The data obtained from these cell culture assays and animal studies canbe used in formulating a range of dosage for use in human. The dosage ofsuch compounds lies preferably within a range of circulatingconcentrations that include the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. Thedosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage formemployed and the route of administration utilized. The exactformulation, route of administration and dosage can be chosen by theindividual physician in view of the patient's condition, age, weight,and therapeutic responsiveness. Dosage amount and interval may beadjusted individually to provide plasma levels of the active moietysufficient to maintain the desired therapeutic effects, or minimaleffective concentration (MEC). The MEC will vary for each compound butcan be estimated from in vitro data; for example, the concentrationnecessary to achieve 50-90% stimulation of FDF03 inhibitory receptorbiological activity.

The mode of administration is not particularly important. In oneembodiment, the mode of administration is an I.V. bolus. In anotherembodiment, the administration is topical. Alternately, one mayadminister the compound in a local rather than systemic manner, forexample, via injection of the compound directly into a tumor orautoimmune lesion, often in a depot or sustained release formulation.

The modulatory agents of the invention can be administered alone or incombination with one or more additional agents. For example, in oneembodiment, two or more agents described herein can be administered to asubject. In another embodiment, an agent described herein can beadministered in combination with other immunomodulating agents. Examplesof other immunomodulating reagents include antibodies that block acostimulatory signal, (e.g., against CD28, ICOS), antibodies thatactivate an inhibitory signal via CTLA4, and/or antibodies against otherimmune cell markers (e.g., against CD40, against CD40 ligand, or againstcytokines), fusion proteins (e.g., CTLA4-Fc, PD-1-Fc), andimmunosuppressive drugs, (e.g., rapamycin, cyclosporine A or FK506). Yetmore examples of immunomodulatory reagents include agonists of toll-likereceptors (TLRs) (e.g., CpG ODN oligos). In certain instances, it may bedesirable to further administer other agents that upregulate immuneresponses, for example, agents which deliver T cell activation signals,in order elicit or augment an immune response. Such agents include, butare not limited to the co-administration of cytokines such as IL-2,IL-10, IFN-α and IFN-γ. Also contemplated are cytokine antagonists, suchas anti-IL-10.

D. Therapeutic Compositions, Methods.

The present invention provides FDF03 antibodies for use, e.g., in thetreatment of proliferative conditions and disorders, including cancer,tumors, angiogenesis, cachexia, cancer cachexia, anorexia, andpre-cancerous disorders, e.g., dysplasia.

To prepare pharmaceutical or sterile compositions including an agonistof FDF03 inhibitory receptor, the cytokine analogue or mutein, antibodythereto, or nucleic acid thereof, is admixed with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or excipient, see, e.g., Remington's PharmaceuticalSciences and U.S. Pharmacopeia: National Formulary, Mack PublishingCompany, Easton, Pa. (1984). Formulations of therapeutic and diagnosticagents may be prepared by mixing with physiologically acceptablecarriers, excipients, or stabilizers in the form of, e.g., lyophilizedpowders, slurries, aqueous solutions or suspensions (see, e.g., Hardman,et al. (2001) Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis ofTherapeutics, McGraw-Hill, New York, N.Y.; Gennaro (2000) Remington: TheScience and Practice of Pharmacy, Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins, NewYork, N.Y.; Avis, et al. (eds.) (1993) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms:Parenteral Medications, Marcel Dekker, NY; Lieberman, et al. (eds.)(1990) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, Marcel Dekker, NY;Lieberman, et al. (eds.) (1990) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: DisperseSystems, Marcel Dekker, NY; Weiner and Kotkoskie (2000) ExcipientToxicity and Safety, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y.).

The route of administration is by, e.g., topical or cutaneousapplication, subcutaneous injection, injection or infusion byintravenous, intraperitoneal, intracerebral, intramuscular, intraocular,intraarterial, intracerebrospinal, intralesional, or pulmonary routes,or by sustained release systems or an implant. Gene transfer vectors,e.g., for the central nervous system, have been described (see, e.g.,Cua, et al. (2001) J. Immunol. 166:602-608; Sidman et al. (1983)Biopolymers 22:547-556; Langer, et al. (1981) J. Biomed. Mater. Res.15:167-277; Langer (1982) Chem. Tech. 12:98-105; Epstein, et al. (1985)Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:3688-3692; Hwang, et al. (1980) Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4030-4034; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,350,466 and6,316,024).

Selecting an administration regimen for a therapeutic depends on severalfactors, including the serum or tissue turnover rate of the entity, thelevel of symptoms, the immunogenicity of the entity, and theaccessibility of the target cells in the biological matrix. Preferably,an administration regimen maximizes the amount of therapeutic deliveredto the patient consistent with an acceptable level of side effects.Accordingly, the amount of biologic delivered depends in part on theparticular entity and the severity of the condition being treated.Guidance in selecting appropriate doses of antibodies, cytokines, andsmall molecules are available (see, e.g., Wawrzynczak (1996) AntibodyTherapy, Bios Scientific Pub. Ltd, Oxfordshire, UK; Kresina (ed.) (1991)Monoclonal Antibodies, Cytokines and Arthritis, Marcel Dekker, New York,N.Y.; Bach (ed.) (1993) Monoclonal Antibodies and Peptide Therapy inAutoimmune Diseases, Marcel Dekker, New York, N.Y.; Baert, et al. (2003)New Engl. J. Med. 348:601-608; Milgrom, et al. (1999) New Engl. J. Med.341:1966-1973; Slamon, et al. (2001) New Engl. J. Med. 344:783-792;Beniaminovitz, et al. (2000) New Engl. J. Med. 342:613-619; Ghosh, etal. (2003) New Engl. J. Med. 348:24-32; Lipsky, et al. (2000) New Engl.J. Med. 343:1594-1602).

Antibodies, antibody fragments, and cytokines can be provided bycontinuous infusion, or by doses at intervals of, e.g., one day, oneweek, or 1-7 times per week. Doses may be provided intravenously,subcutaneously, topically, orally, nasally, rectally, intramuscular,intracerebrally, intraspinally, or by inhalation. A preferred doseprotocol is one involving the maximal dose or dose frequency that avoidssignificant undesirable side effects. A total weekly dose is generallyat least 0.05 μg/kg body weight, more generally at least 0.2 μg/kg, mostgenerally at least 0.5 μg/kg, typically at least 1 μg/kg, more typicallyat least 10 μg/kg, most typically at least 100 μg/kg, preferably atleast 0.2 mg/kg, more preferably at least 1.0 mg/kg, most preferably atleast 2.0 mg/kg, optimally at least 10 mg/kg, more optimally at least 25mg/kg, and most optimally at least 50 mg/kg (see, e.g., Yang, et al.(2003) New Engl. J. Med. 349:427-434; Herold, et al. (2002) New Engl. J.Med. 346:1692-1698; Liu, et al. (1999) J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psych.67:451-456; Portielji, et al. (20003) Cancer Immunol. Immunother.52:133-144). The desired dose of a small molecule therapeutic, e.g., apeptide mimetic, natural product, or organic chemical, is about the sameas for an antibody or polypeptide, on a moles/kg basis.

An effective amount for a particular patient may vary depending onfactors such as the condition being treated, the overall health of thepatient, the method route and dose of administration and the severity ofside affects (see, e.g., Maynard, et al. (1996) A Handbook of SOPs forGood Clinical Practice, Interpharm Press, Boca Raton, FL; Dent (2001)Good Laboratory and Good Clinical Practice, Urch Publ., London, UK).

Typical veterinary, experimental, or research subjects include monkeys,dogs, cats, rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, and humans.

Determination of the appropriate dose is made by the clinician, e.g.,using parameters or factors known or suspected in the art to affecttreatment or predicted to affect treatment. Generally, the dose beginswith an amount somewhat less than the optimum dose and it is increasedby small increments thereafter until the desired or optimum effect isachieved relative to any negative side effects. Important diagnosticmeasures include those of symptoms of, e.g., the inflammation or levelof inflammatory cytokines produced. Preferably, a biologic that will beused is derived from the same species as the animal targeted fortreatment, thereby minimizing a humoral response to the reagent.

Methods for co-administration or treatment with a second therapeuticagent, e.g., a cytokine, steroid, chemotherapeutic agent, antibiotic, orradiation, are well known in the art (see, e.g., Hardman, et al. (eds.)(2001) Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics,10^(th) ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, N.Y.; Poole and Peterson (eds.)(2001) Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice: A Practical Approach,Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Phila., Pa.; Chabner and Longo (eds.)(2001) Cancer Chemotherapy and Biotherapy, Lippincott, Williams &Wilkins, Phila., Pa.). An effective amount of therapeutic will decreasethe symptoms typically by at least 10%; usually by at least 20%;preferably at least about 30%; more preferably at least 40%, and mostpreferably by at least 50%.

E. Kits and Diagnostic Reagents.

This invention provides FDF03 proteins, fragments thereof, nucleicacids, and fragments thereof, in a diagnostic kit. Also provided arebinding compositions, including antibodies or antibody fragments, forthe detection of FDF03, and metabolites and breakdown products thereof.Typically, the kit will have a compartment containing either a FDF03polypeptide, or an antigenic fragment thereof, a binding compositionthereto, or a nucleic acid, e.g., a nucleic acid probe or primer. Thenucleic acid probe or primer specifically hybridizes under stringentconditions to a nucleic acid encoding either the activating orinhibitory form of FDF03.

The kit can comprise, e.g., a reagent and a compartment, a reagent andinstructions for use, or a reagent with a compartment and instructionsfor use. The reagent can comprise FDF03 proteins or antigenic fragmentsthereof, a binding composition, or a nucleic acid. A kit for determiningthe binding of a test compound, e.g., acquired from a biological sampleor from a chemical library, can comprise a control compound, a labeledcompound, and a method for separating free labeled compound from boundlabeled compound.

Diagnostic assays can be used with biological matrices such as livecells, cell extracts, cell lysates, fixed cells, cell cultures, bodilyfluids, or forensic samples. Conjugated antibodies useful for diagnosticor kit purposes, include antibodies coupled to dyes, isotopes, enzymes,and metals (see, e.g., Le Doussal, et al. (1991) New Engl. J. Med.146:169-175; Gibellini, et al. (1998) J. Immunol. 160:3891-3898; Hsingand Bishop (1999) New Engl. J. Med. 162:2804-2811; Everts, et al. (2002)New Engl. J. Med. 168:883-889). Various assay formats exist, such asradioimmunoassays (RIA), ELISA, and lab on a chip (U.S. Pat. Nos.6,176,962 and 6,517,234).

This invention provides polypeptides and nucleic acids of FDF03receptors, fragments thereof, in a diagnostic kit, e.g., for thediagnosis of proliferative conditions, cancer, tumors, and precancerousdisorders, e.g., dysplasia.

Also provided are binding compositions, including antibodies or antibodyfragments, for the detection of FDF03 receptors and metabolites andbreakdown products thereof. Typically, the kit will have a compartmentcontaining either an FDF03 inhibitory receptor or FDF03 activatingreceptor polypeptide, or an antigenic fragment thereof, a bindingcomposition thereto, or a nucleic acid, such as a nucleic acid probe,primer, or molecular beacon (see, e.g., Rajendran, et al. (2003) NucleicAcids Res. 31:5700-5713; Cockerill (2003) Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med.127:1112-1120; Zammatteo, et al. (2002) Biotech. Annu. Rev. 8:85-101;Klein (2002) Trends Mol. Med. 8:257-260).

A method of diagnosis can comprise contacting a sample from a subject,e.g., a test subject, with a binding composition that specifically bindsto FDF03 inhibitory receptor or a bispecific binding composition thatbinds to both the inhibitory receptor or the activating receptor. Themethod can further comprise contacting a sample from a control subject,normal subject, or normal tissue or fluid from the test subject, withthe binding composition. Moreover, the method can additionally comprisecomparing the specific binding of the composition to the test subjectwith the specific binding of the composition to the normal subject,control subject, or normal tissue or fluid from the test subject.Expression or activity of a test sample or test subject can be comparedwith that from a control sample or control subject. A control sample cancomprise, e.g., a sample of non-affected or non-inflamed tissue in apatient suffering from an immune disorder. Expression or activity from acontrol subject or control sample can be provided as a predeterminedvalue, e.g., acquired from a statistically appropriate group of controlsubjects.

The broad scope of this invention is best understood with reference tothe following examples, which are not intended to limit the inventionsto the specific embodiments.

All citations herein are incorporated herein by reference to the sameextent as if each individual publication or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Many modifications and variations of this invention can be made withoutdeparting from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein areoffered by way of example only, and the invention is to be limited bythe terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled; and the invention is notto be limited by the specific embodiments that have been presentedherein by way of example.

EXAMPLES I. General Methods

Standard methods in molecular biology are described (Maniatis, et al.(1982) Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring HarborLaboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Sambrook and Russell(2001)Molecular Cloning, 3^(rd) ed., Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryPress, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Wu (1993) Recombinant DNA, Vol. 217,Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.). Standard methods also appear inAusbel, et al. (2001) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vols.1-4,John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York, N.Y., which describes cloning inbacterial cells and DNA mutagenesis (Vol. 1), cloning in mammalian cellsand yeast (Vol. 2), glycoconjugates and protein expression (Vol. 3), andbioinformatics (Vol. 4).

Methods for protein purification including immunoprecipitation,chromatography, electrophoresis, centrifugation, and crystallization aredescribed (Coligan, et al. (2000) Current Protocols in Protein Science,Vol. 1, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York). Chemical analysis,chemical modification, post-translational modification, production offusion proteins, glycosylation of proteins are described (see, e.g.,Coligan, et al. (2000) Current Protocols in Protein Science, Vol. 2,John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York; Ausubel, et al. (2001) CurrentProtocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. 3, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., NY,N.Y., pp. 16.0.5-16.22.17; Sigma-Aldrich, Co. (2001) Products for LifeScience Research, St. Louis, Mo.; pp. 45-89; Amersham Pharmacia Biotech(2001) BioDirectory, Piscataway, N.J., pp. 384-391). Production,purification, and fragmentation of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodiesis described (Coligan, et al. (2001) Current Protcols in Immunology,Vol. 1, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York; Harlow and Lane (1999)Using Antibodies, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold SpringHarbor, N.Y.; Harlow and Lane, supra). Standard techniques forcharacterizing ligand/receptor interactions are available (see, e.g.,Coligan, et al. (2001) Current Protcols in Immunology, Vol. 4, JohnWiley, Inc., New York).

Methods for flow cytometry, including fluorescence activated cellsorting (FACS), are available (see, e.g., Owens, et al. (1994) FlowCytometry Principles for Clinical Laboratory Practice, John Wiley andSons, Hoboken, N.J.; Givan (2001) Flow Cytometry, 2^(nd) ed.;Wiley-Liss, Hoboken, N.J.; Shapiro (2003) Practical Flow Cytometry, JohnWiley and Sons, Hoboken, N.J.). Fluorescent reagents suitable formodifying nucleic acids, including nucleic acid primers and probes,polypeptides, and antibodies, for use, e.g., as diagnostic reagents, areavailable (Molecular Probes (2003) Catalogue, Molecular Probes, Inc.,Eugene, Oreg.; Sigma-Aldrich (2003) Catalogue, St. Louis, Mo.).

Standard methods of histology of the immune system are described (see,e.g., Muller-Harmelink (ed.) (1986) Human Thymus: Histopathology andPathology, Springer Verlag, New York, N.Y.; Hiatt, et al. (2000) ColorAtlas of Histology, Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins, Phila, Pa.;Louis, et al. (2002) Basic Histology: Text and Atlas, McGraw-Hill, NewYork, N.Y.).

Methods for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer are described (see,e.g., Alison (ed.) (2001) The Cancer Handbook, Grove's Dictionaries,Inc., St. Louis, Mo.; Oldham (ed.) (1998) Principles of CancerBiotherapy, 3^(rd). ed., Kluwer Academic Publ., Hingham, Mass.;Thompson, et al. (eds.) (2001) Textbook of Melanoma, Martin Dunitz,Ltd., London, UK; Devita, et al. (eds.) (2001) Cancer: Principles andPractice of Oncology, 6th ed., Lippincott, Phila, Pa.; Holland, et al.(eds.) (2000) Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine, BC Decker, Phila., Pa.;Garrett and Sell (eds.) (1995) Cellular Cancer Markers, Humana Press,Totowa, N.J.; MacKie (1996) Skin Cancer, 2^(nd) ed., Mosby, St. Louis;Moertel (1994) New Engl. J. Med. 330:1136-1142; Engleman (2003) Semin.Oncol. 30 (3 Suppl. 8):23-29; Mohr, et al. (2003) Onkologie 26:227-233).

Software packages and databases for determining, e.g., antigenicfragments, leader sequences, protein folding, functional domains,glycosylation sites, and sequence alignments, are available (see, e.g.,GenBank, Vector NTI® Suite (Informax, Inc, Bethesda, Md.); GCG WisconsinPackage (Accelrys, Inc., San Diego, Calif.); DeCypher® (TimeLogic Corp.,Crystal Bay, Nev.); Menne, et al. (2000) Bioinformatics 16: 741-742;Menne, et al. (2000) Bioinformatics Applications Note 16:741-742; Wren,et al. (2002) Comput. Methods Programs Biomed. 68:177-181; von Heijne(1983) Eur. J. Biochem. 133:17-21; von Heijne (1986) Nucleic Acids Res.14:4683-4690).

II. Generation of FDF03 Receptor Antibodies

The FDF03 activating receptor-Ig fusion protein was constructedconsisting of the extracellular domain of mouse FDF03 activatingreceptor fused to the Fc portion of human IgG1. The extracellularresidues (corresponding to amino acids 29-192, see, e.g., GenBankAccession No. Q9UKJ0) was subcloned in the Xho1 site of a modifiedpCDM8.Ig expression plasmid (E. E Bates et. al. (1998) Mol Immunol.35:513) to produce the plasmid LL1091. LL1091 was transiently expressedin 293T cells to produce soluble FDF03 activating receptor-Ig fusionprotein. Lewis rats were immunized with the fusion protein. Hybridomafusions were screened by ELISA against the immunizing FDF03 activatingreceptor-Ig fusion protein, and an irrelevant human Ig fusion protein asa negative control.

32 antibody producing hybridomas were selected and antibodies werefurther screened on a mouse mast cell degranulation assay. Anti-FDF03mAb induced degranulation of the activating FDF03 transfected mast cellline DT865. Titrations of anti-FDF03 antibodies were made in a 96-wellflat-bottom plate in 50 ul assay media (RPMI, 1% BSA, 25 mM Hepes).Mouse mast cells expressing the mouse FDF03 activating receptor (DT865)were spun down and resuspended at 2×10⁶/ml, 100 ul/well was added to theantibody titrations. Cells were cultured at 37°, 5% CO₂ for 1 hr. At theend of the stimulation period, 20 ul was removed from each well andtransferred to 60 ul 1.3 mg/ml B-hexosaminidase substrate(4-NitrophenyN-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminide, Sigma N9376).Supernatant/substrate reaction proceeded for 3.5 hr, 37° C. Reaction wasstopped by the addition of 0.2 M glycine, pH 10.7 and OD405-570 wasmeasured to assess the extent of degranulation.

The FDF03 inhibitory receptor-Ig fusion protein consisted of theextracellular domain of the mouse FDF03 inhibitory receptor fused to theFc portion of human IgG1. The extracellular residues (corresponding toamino acids 29-200; see, e.g., GenBank Accession No. NP_(—)038467) wassubcloned in the Xho1 site of a modified pCDM8.Ig expression plasmid (E.E Bates et. al. supra) to produce the plasmid LL1090. LL1090 wastransiently expressed in 293T cells to produce soluble FDF03 inhibitoryreceptor-Ig. Lewis rats were immunized with three KLH conjugatedpeptides (Invitrogen), and the mouse FDF03 inhibitory receptor-Igprotein. Fusion screened by ELISA against the immunizing fusion proteinand an irrelevant human Ig fusion protein as a negative control.

Titrations of anti-mouse FDF03 inhibitory receptor antibodies were madein a 96-well flat-bottom plate in 50 ul assay media (RPMI, 1% BSA, 25 mMHepes). Mouse mast cells expressing the mouse FDF03 inhibitory receptor(DT866) were spun down and resuspended at 2×10⁶/ml, 100 ul/well wasadded to the antibody titrations. The stimulating anti-CD200R antibody,DX87 was then added in 50 ul/well so that the final concentration was 1ug/ml. Cells were cultured at 37°, 5% CO₂ for 30 min. Wells were washed2×. Goat anti mouse Ig was added as a cross linking reagent at 10 ug/ml.Cells were cultured at 37°, 5% CO₂ for 1 hr. At the end of thestimulation period, 20 ul was removed from each well and transferred to60 ul 1.3 mg/ml β-hexosaminidase substrate(4-NitrophenyN-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminide, Sigma N9376).Supernatant/substrate reaction proceeded for 3.5 hr, 37° C. Reaction wasstopped by the addition of 0.2 M glycine, pH 10.7 and OD405-570 wasmeasured to assess the extent of inhibition of CD200R induceddegranulation.

III. FDF03 (DX173) Treatment in 4T1 Tumor Model

DX173 antibody recognizes both activating and inhibitory murine FDF03receptors. Rat anti-human IL-4 mAb (25D2) was used as a control Plated4T1 tumor cells were trypsinized (TrypLE) and washed 2 times in PBS (45mls) to remove FBS. Cells were then resuspended in PBS at aconcentration of 1.0×10⁶ cells/ml and placed on ice. Mice were injectedsubcutaneously with 200 μL (2.0×10⁵ cells). Injection was done in theleft flank 1.5 CM caudal from the knee & ˜0.5 CM ventral from the knee.

At day 7 post tumor implant, animals were randomly assigned into 3groups based on visual assessment of tumor size (n=8 per group), asdescribed in Table 1. On day 7 post tumor implant, animals also receivedsubcutaneous injection (in 250 μL volume) of either PBS (buffercontrol), 1 mg of IgG1 isotype mAb (PAB557) (Ab control), or 1 mg ofanti-FDF03 bispecific mAb (DX173). Animals were treated 3 times per weekwith this regimen for 3 weeks.

TABLE 1 Number Dose/ Group Species of mice Treatment Route Schedule 1BALB/c 8 Tumor: PBS 1 starting −d7 AnN (diluent) mg/SQ SQ 3×/wk 2 BALB/c8 Tumor: 1 1 starting −d7 AnN mg IgG1 mg/SQ SQ 3×/wk control Ab (25D2-PAB557A) 3 BALB/ 8 Tumor: 1 1 starting −d7 cAnN mg FDF03 mg/SQ SQ 3×/wk(DX173)

Tumor sizes were measured with Vernier calipers in three dimensions(width and length and height) and tumor volume were calculated using theformula: 4/3π(l/2)(w/2)(h/2) where l, w, and h represent length, width,and height respectively. Tumors were measured periodically to evaluatethe effects of treatment on tumor growth. Statistical analysis was doneusing t-test. The last 2 measurements (days 25 and 28) included 6animals each for the PBS and isotype treatments and 5 animals for theDX173 treatment (rest of the animals were used for myeloid cellanalysis). To measure lung metastasis, lung tissues were fixed in 10%buffered formalin. The number of pulmonary metastatic lesions on lungsurfaces were quantified under a dissecting microscope.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the bispecific DX173 antibody was able toinhibit or reduce tumor growth in a statistically significant manner.FIG. 3 shows DX173 was able to reduce 4T1 tumor-induced lung metastasis.

IV. FDF03 (DX276 and DX173) treatment in CT26 Tumor Model

The DX276 Ab recognizes inhibitory FDF03 and the DX173 Ab recognizesboth activating and inhibitory FDF03. Plated CT26 tumor cells weretrypsinized (TrypLE) and washed 2 times in PBS (45 mls) to remove FBS.Cells were then resuspended in PBS at a concentration of 1.0×10⁶cells/ml and placed on ice. Mice were injected subcutaneously with 200μL (2.0×10⁵ cells). Injection was done in the left flank 1.5 CM caudalfrom the knee and ˜0.5 CM ventral from the knee. At day 7 post tumorimplant, animals were randomly assigned into 4 groups based on visualassessment of tumor size (n=6 per group) as described in Table 2. On day8 post tumor implant, animals also received subcutaneous injection (in250 μL volume) of either PBS (buffer control), 1 mg of IgG1 isotype mAb(PAB557) (Ab control), 1 mg of anti-FDF03 bispecific mAb (DX173), or 1mg of anti-FDF03 inhibitory mAb (DX276). Animals were treated 3 timesper week with this regimen for 3 weeks (9 total treatments).

TABLE 2 N Dose/ Group Species (mice) Treatment Route Schedule 1 BALB/ 6Tumor: PBS (diluent) 1 mg/SQ starting −d8 cAnN SQ 3×/wk 2 BALB/ 6 Tumor:1 mg IgG1 1 mg/SQ starting −d8 cAnN control Ab SQ 3×/wk (25D2-PAB557A) 3BALB/ 6 Tumor: 1 mg FDF03 1 mg/SQ starting −d8 cAnN (DX173) SQ 3×/wk 4BALB/ 6 Tumor: 1 mg FDF03 1 mg/SQ starting −d8 cAnN (DX276) SQ 3×/wk

Tumor sizes were measured with Vernier calipers in three dimensions(width and length and height) and tumor volume were calculated using theformula: 4/3π(l/2)(w/2)(h/2) where l, w, and h represent length, width,and height respectively. Tumors were measured periodically to evaluatethe effects of treatment on tumor growth.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show that the agonist mAb specific for the inhibitory formof FDF03 (DX276) had the highest level of tumor growth andtumorigenesis.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for inhibiting tumor growth in asubject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an agentthat stimulates or enhances FDF03 inhibitory receptor biologicalactivity.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent is an agonist orpartial-agonist antibody or antibody fragment thereof specific for theFDF03 inhibitory receptor.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein theantibody is a humanized, fully human or chimeric antibody.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the tumor is a primary or a metastatic tumor.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the subject is a human.
 6. A method forreducing metastatic burden in a subject comprising administering to asubject in need thereof an agent that stimulates or enhances FDF03inhibitory receptor biological activity.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the agent is an agonist or partial-agonist antibody, or antibodyfragment thereof specific for the FDF03 inhibitory receptor.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the antibody is a humanized, fully human orchimeric antibody.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the subject is ahuman.
 10. A method for inhibiting tumor growth in a subject, comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof an agent that binds to anFDF03 inhibiting receptor and an FDF03 activating receptor.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the agent is a bispecific antibody orantibody fragment thereof that binds to the FDF03 inhibitory receptorand the FDF03 activating receptor.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe antibody is a humanized, fully human or chimeric antibody.
 13. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the tumor is a primary or a metastatictumor.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the subject is a human
 15. Amethod for reducing metastatic burden, comprising administering to asubject in need thereof an agent that binds to an FDF03 inhibitingreceptor and an FDF03 activating receptor.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the agent is a bispecific antibody or antibody fragment thereofthat binds to the FDF03 inhibiting receptor and the FDF03 activatingreceptor.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the antibody is ahumanized, fully human or chimeric antibody.
 18. The method of claim 15,wherein the subject is a human.